BRIAN REID PHOTOGRAPHER
Ireland Day 8 - From Limerick to Clare
Saturday, 16 September 2023 21:26
It has been a gentle day in terms of distance with a walk around central Limerick, a run along the Shannon estuary, a look at the cliffs at Kilkee, the headline picture, and then a couple of stops along the Atlantic coast until my overnight at Spanish Point. I had not done my research well or I would have known the link to the Spanish Armada. One of the ships was wrecked off the shore here trying to get back to Spain and under instruction from the English high command all of the ships equipment was salvaged and the crew executed. Hence Spanish Point! It was pretty chilly this morning, despite being sunny so I bought a pair of gloves in Limerick. The wind was pretty fierce along the Atlantic coast and fortunately on the cliffs it was an onshore breeze or we might have had some fly away tourists. Tonight I enjoyed my first non-pub meal at a recommended restaurant in the next town, Miltown Malaby, run by a lady from Leith, who went to DK where my dad taught. The seafood was great washed done with a very decent Pinot Grigio. I have chosen to caption today’s snaps again for clarity and will start with King John’s Castle in Limerick.
There is some great street art in Limerick. Here are some examples.
I stopped at Knock along the Shannon estuary and the tide was out.
Next stop was at Killimel watching a ferry coming in from Tarbert. It was popular.
Close by there was a nice view of the mouth of the estuary and the cliffs at Kilkee where I was heading.
There was a brilliant bit of local colour on the water front at Kilkee.
Then it was up to the cliffs. Wow! You may spot some people on the top of the cliffs. They are there.
Up the coast I stopped at White Strand. Not a great beach but there were oystercatchers always one of my favourites
A novelty was this monument to Pat McDonald born here, emigrated to the US and became a senior policeman in New York but also won the gold medal in shot putt at the Helsinki Olympic Games.
I stopped at Seafield Pier across the bay from Spanish Point. It has been nice to see plenty of wind turbines along this stretch of coast. Some of their generated power may be going into my car.
It was lovely contre-jour light at Spanish Point